Colonial Nigeria
Explore Nigeria’s colonial era (c. 1861–1960), from the annexation of Lagos and the Royal Niger Company to the 1914 amalgamation and the road to independence. This category examines British administration, missionary education, commerce and railways, taxation and labor, cultural change and urban life, and the rise of nationalist movements, including women’s protests, unions, and political parties. Discover biographies, key events, and documents that reveal resistance, collaboration, and everyday experiences across Nigeria’s regions.
Vaughan House, Kakawa Street, Lagos
Vaughan House at 29 Kakawa Street on Lagos Island stands as one of the documented residential buildings reflecting the Afro‑Brazilian architectural heritage that characterised...
Latifu Awoyale: Yoruba Goldsmithing in Ibadan
Goldsmithing and metalwork occupy a central place in Yoruba culture, with traditions extending across centuries. Yoruba metalworking encompasses ironwork, brass and copper casting, and...
Egungun Masquerade and Ritual Music in Abeokuta, 1951
Egungun masquerade traditions occupy a central position in Yoruba religious and cultural life. Rooted in ancestral veneration, Egungun represents both the collective ancestors of...
Kingsway Stores and the Making of Modern Retail in Colonial Nigeria
The development of modern retailing in Nigeria during the late colonial period was shaped by the expansion of European commercial firms operating within an...
The History of A.G. Leventis Nigeria
A.G. Leventis (Nigeria) Limited occupies a distinctive place in Nigeria’s commercial history as one of the country’s longest continuously operating foreign‑founded enterprises. Its roots...
Medical Pioneers in Colonial Nigeria
The evolution of the medical profession in Nigeria during the late colonial period and early post‑independence era, from the 1930s to the 1970s, marked...
Ilishan‑Remo History and Architecture
Ilishan‑Remo is a town in Ogun State, located in the Irepodun district of Ikenne Local Government Area, Nigeria, and forms part of the historical...
The Nigerian Police Officer in the 1950s, Duty, Discipline, and a Nation in Transition
A photograph of a Nigerian police officer standing in uniform during the early 1950s captures more than posture and attire. It reflects an institution...
Juvenile Justice in Lagos: History
The history of juvenile justice in Lagos is a story of institutional development shaped by colonial legislation, emerging social welfare concerns, and ongoing efforts...
The Old Northern Emirates of Nigeria, A Twin Legacy of the Sokoto Caliphate and Kanem Bornu
Northern Nigeria stands on the legacy of two remarkable political and cultural traditions. The Sokoto Caliphate, which expanded across the western and central regions...